Port Orchard Independent

FROM THE SHELF | Libraries filled with plenty of activities this spring

Springtime is officially here, and as our children’s and teen librarians gear up for summer reading with lots of school visits, we have a great lineup of programming for adults happening down at the Port Orchard Library this month.

Adult reference librarian Rebekah Dalby and I were talking recently about how we could put together a series of programs we would be excited to attend, and we came up with something we’ve both always wanted to know how to do: cake decorating. This conversation resulted in the series of programs happening this month on party planning.

We’re kicking off with “Party Planning: From Invites to Thank -Yous” on May 14 at 2 p.m. with Desiree Steffens from Capriccio Catering and Event planning. Desiree is a party planning professional with an arsenal of tricks to help you make your next event stress free. So whether your summer plans include surviving your 2-year-old’s birthday party or hosting a 50th wedding anniversary celebration, Desiree has the tips you’ll need.

On May 15, we’ll have our own in-house paper craft artists Susan Lee and Thaydra Richards demonstrating how to make beautiful décor with everyday paper in “Papercrafts for Party Décor,” and participants will all be making their own items to take home. We continue with our hands-on learning the following Tuesday when Ann Lantrip of McCormick Woods Catering demonstrates how to create beautiful cakes.

By the end of this series, we should expect some fabulous parties to be thrown in Port Orchard this summer! Registration is required for these programs, due to our limited space, so call the library today at 360-876-2224.

Registration is not required for our ongoing monthly gardening program, “A Year in the Northwest Garden.” Master Gardener “Gardener Joe” Machcinski is here the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. to tell us exactly what we should be doing in our gardens right now.

This is the busy time for gardeners, so if you have questions, or want some advice on how to grow the very best garden or have the greenest lawn on your block, Gardener Joe will tell you how. I picked up a great tip on how to get rid of those pesky moles that seem to have a compound underneath my backyard. I just put used cat litter in the mole holes, as per Joe’s advice, and I’ve been amazed at the results.

Down at the Manchester Library, Branch Manager Zak Sherman reports they will be hosting author Wendy Hinneman, whose book “Tightwads on the Loose” recounts her adventures sailing over 34,000 miles in seven years with her husband. This program will be on Monday, May 20, at 2 p.m.

In other library news, earlier this week the Friends of the Port Orchard library were thrilled to accept a check for $1,000 from Kitsap Bank as a recipient of a Kitsap Bank Community Partners Grant.

This money will go towards the interior renovations we’re planning for September. Interestingly, when we were lining up to take a photo of the check acceptance, Shannon Childs, Kitsap Bank senior vice president and marketing director, noticed a plaque on one of our bookcases stating it was donated by Hannah Langer. Hannan was the first female bank president west of the Mississippi, serving as Kitsap Bank President from 1952-1972.

Don’t forget, the Friends of the Library are hosting a comedy night and silent auction tomorrow, Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. at McCormick Woods. Tickets are available at the library or at the door tomorrow night. Some terrific items have been donated for our silent auction, and all proceeds are going to our renovations.